So total $20,000 to $35,000…including grandparent $10,000 contribution.
Looking at the colleges that give large merit awards to NMF (like Tulsa) is a great start.
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Kalamazoo would be a poor academic fit for a math major who has already completed real analysis, abstract algebra, and topology in high school, since it would not have much left to offer: Mathematics | Kalamazoo College – Academic Catalog (scroll down to the list of courses offered)
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We don’t totally know the major but OP added open - which would then limit his choices to mainly reaches - but that’s why I threw Rochester in, which seems like would happen although not assured, and Wake also has an open option.
Admittedly, OP will need to study the curriculums everywhere they pursue in addition to the financial aspect, which they started off with and backed off of - but as you know, really can’t be ignored.
OP has a great list - from the initial - and hopefully it works out as listed.
Just trying to find “other” in that affordable and likely category.
If you remember last year, there was a young man from Washington who went to Washington State. He applied heavy - and it’s all he got into.
He looked at Tulsa (for math) and was interested (he was Natl Merit) but didn’t believe Tulsa had the depth where Washington State did - but then not the pedigree he wanted.
In the end, because he over applied - even with fantastic stats, that’s what he was left with.
So while everyone wants to have this robust reach list, as OP here does, I think it’s also important to find that, what I would deem - most important school - that assured safety - and not just admission wise but financially speaking as well - so to put finances on the backburner could mean ultimately applying to schools they have no ability to attend. If it’s true the grandparents are giving $40K ($10K a year), and OP now says $20 to $35K (before it was $20K so with $10K it would be $30K) - OP should tighten that timeline - and then find a school they can work with that will meet budget…even if it was…a UAH as a STEM-y alternative (sorry to stay in state).
Again, this isn’t where the intention is to go - but that list seems plump - but it’s the - I only got into Washington State case and now I’m stuck. At least that particular student could afford it - and hopefully is doing very well.
It’s easy to dream and I certainly hope the dream comes true but one also most plan for the reality. We are not talking small $$, etc. and a fine education can be had in many places. What one does with the opportunities given on campus - can help differentiate…
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It looks like your budget is in the $20-25k range, and perhaps more like $20k based on your parents’ comments. If you’re looking for a safety, then it should meet three criteria:
- It should be extremely likely to admit you
- It should be extremely likely to be affordable
- You should be happy to enroll and attend for at least four years
For schools that are pretty much guaranteed to hit the $20-25k price point AND be a sure thing for admissions, you will need to go down in terms of the selectivity of the school. You should be looking at schools that have big auto-merit scholarships, especially for National Merit Finalist status (which, with a 224 selection index, you’re pretty much a lock for).
I’d take a look at these schools which I’m 99.99% sure will meet budget based on a chart/website on the school page:
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New Jersey Institute of Technology: About 10k undergrads. Gives scholarships for tuition & fees (and potential for more) to NMFs
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North Dakota State: About 10k undergrads and costs about $26k/year as the sticker price…you’d surely be paying less
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U. of New Mexico: About 16k undergrads
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U. of Texas - Dallas: About 22k undergrads and NMFs used to get a full ride, but I think it’s been reduced but is still a pretty substantial scholarship.
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Washington State: About 23k undergrads and I think that NMFs get a full ride here still
These are some other schools that I suspect will meet budget, but you’ll need to look at the merit aid pages yourself.
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Kansas State (about 15k undergrads)
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Ohio U. (About 18k undergrads)
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U. of Houston (about 38k undergrads)
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U. of Iowa (about 22k undergrads)
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U. of Kansas (about 19k undergrads)
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U. of Kentucky (about 23k undergrads)
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U. of Nebraska - Lincoln (about 19k undergrads)
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U. of Missouri - Columbia (about 24k undergrads)
All of the above schools offer through a doctorate in math, so there should be sufficient coursework to meet your needs. I’m not sure which part of Alabama (and thus U. of Alabama) is the culture shock, so some of these schools may be more of the same (whether it’s rural, or political commonalities, or whatever). Also, if you receive more than about $1k/year or so in scholarships from a Texas public, you’re eligible to get in-state prices, which are among the lowest in the country.
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@inkyb1 is Tulsa a school you are considering?
Havent looked too much into it but from what ive seen so far, yes
Scratch that nah
Meaning you are not considering Tulsa?
Yeah, i am not considering tulsa. Sorry the last edit was unclear.
Look at the list @AustenNut made above. It has some good options.
It might help us if we knew why you didn’t like Tulsa, so we don’t suggest similar colleges.
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Yeah im looking into the list above. The thing that turned me away from tulsa was its religious affiliation (from what ive seen). If it doesnt run that deep please lmk and ill consider it again, but id rather not attend a christian university.
Understood - and that’s fine.
But let’s get back to your original premise.
You have a loaded list - and it’s a great list - and there may be / are affordable schools on the list.
But none are assured.
So what do you seek - I heard open and affordable (why Tulsa was mentioned - it’s easily the highest proportion of NM scholars in the country) -
But again, you are looking at safeties/likelies - and you put FSU but it’s really not different than Bama.
@AustenNut mentioned KU (Kansas) which is one of the top Honors Colleges in the country.
I understand you’re seeking “big names” from your first list -and I get that - but this is for those worst case - so help us help you.
Have you looked at Rochester (meets need and open curriculum) and Wake Forest (has an open option but not sure it will come through with $$). Even with your #s, while I suspect Rochester would happen, it’s not an assurance. It is a reasonable sub for Brown.
And U Miami?? Not open. And a very expensive area.
But again, run the NPCs.
Hope we can provide other passable options for you. I don’t expect these will be those that “excite” you as your original list does -but I told the story of the student from Washington State last year - and these are the schools - so that you don’t end up in that same situation.
So hoping to be helpful to you - but I’ll put that next thought out to you.
Good luck
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I don’t think Tulsa is an overly religious college. But perhaps someone else will comment. It does have an affiliation with the Presbyterian church.
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Oh shoot forgot to reply to the original.
I am now considering rochester as a likely and wake as a a target (?), also considering tulsa again now.
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I can’t speak to Tulsa per se - but a lot of “religiously” affiliated schools have historic ties - whether Syracuse, Duke, Emory - but are not religious today. And there are a lot of, Jesuit schools for example, where some folks on here state that religion doesn’t truly rule the school.
You might reach out and ask the school. What I’m reading now is it has a historical affiliation with the Presbyterian church. And there may be some type of affiliation. If that’s the only thing holding you back, I’d suggest researching more - ask the school or ask to speak with a student ambassador. Ask about the student body, any religious requirements, etc. to see - if it can be a good fit.
But I’d suggest that if you see a program that can work for you, then don’t just toss aside - but dig deeper - especially when it alleviates that most difficult part to conquer - finances. It still may not be right - but a few more minutes of research may (or may not) tell you a different story.
The school itself says this: Today, TU operates as an independent, nondenominational university. A top-rated research institution, the university welcomes students from many different faiths and countries. The TU campus fosters a rich, diverse experience for students and faculty regardless of religious or cultural background through a strong belief in mutual respect and understanding.
Good luck.
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Great - others will likely say Rochester is a match - and that’s appropriate - but again, for each school, make sure you do the NPC - as Rochester likely won’t be as aggressive as Brown.
But that could be a great addition for you - an easier admit than much of your list but maybe not totally in the comfort zone admission wise - although others may have a comment related to that.
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Rochester does have distribution requirements – basically a cluster of three courses in each of humanities, social science, and sciences: Clusters : Students : College Center for Advising Services : University of Rochester
However, a student taking lots of math and economics courses would automatically cover two of the three distribution areas, leaving only three humanities courses to complete for this requirement.
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A little more context for OP
Same as Boston University…which had a religious affiliation in the past. One of my kids is a Santa Clara grad. She didn’t find the Jesuit mission to be bad, in fact, she loved their mission of giving back to the community and community service. That was what mattered to her. Oh…and she also liked their strong programs in her areas of interest.
So yes…did deeper. This is a school you might want to visit.
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This site may offer you additional ideas:
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